Expect to see plenty of police on patrol in Washtenaw County on New Year's Eve
Police have a message for anyone planning to ring in the New Year with a few drinks: designate a sober driver or take a taxi cab.
If you're out on the streets of Washtenaw County late at night from Thursday through Saturday, you can expect to see extra police officers on patrol. They'll be on the lookout for suspected drunken drivers and motorists who aren't wearing seat belts.
This weekend marks the end of a statewide crackdown on drunken driving over the holiday season.
Starting at 8 p.m. Thursday and Friday, officers from several agencies — including the Michigan State Police, Washtenaw County Sheriff's Department, Pittsfield Township Police Department, Saline Police Department, Chelsea Police Department, Milan Police Department and University of Michigan Department of Public Safety — will be out on patrol.
On Thursday night, 18 police officers will focus on:
- Carpenter and Packard in Pittsfield Township
- Michigan and South Industrial in Saline
- Carpenter and Michigan in Pittsfield Township
- Jackson and Wagner in Scio Township
- Streets around the U-M campus
On Friday night, 20 extra patrols are planned on:
- I-94 and US-23 throughout Washtenaw County
- Michigan and Carpenter in Pittsfield Township
- Michigan and Maple in Saline
- M-52 and Middle Street in Chelsea
- Main and Wabash in Milan
- Washtenaw and Hewitt in Ypsilanti Township
- Streets around the U-M campus
Michigan State Police troopers will step up patrols on US-23 and I-94 on Friday night.
Photo courtesy of the Michigan State Police
On Saturday night, Chelsea police officers will be back out in force at 8 p.m. for a final night of extra enforcement. They'll focus on Old US-12 and Freer Road.
The effort is funded by the state Office of Highway Safety Planning through federal traffic safety grants.
In Michigan, it's illegal to drive with a blood alcohol content of .08 or higher, although motorists can be arrested at any BAC level if an officer feels they exhibit signs of impairment while driving. As of Oct. 31, under the new "super drunk" law, motorists face enhanced penalties if arrested with a .17 or higher blood alcohol content.
A motorist convicted of drunken driving faces up to 93 days in jail, a $500 fine, 360 hours of community service, 180 days driving suspension and six points on a driver’s license.
If convicted under Michigan’s new "super drunk" law, jail time increases to 180 days, fines reach $700 and a one-year license suspension is possible.
During last year’s Christmas and New Year’s holiday periods, 10 people died in traffic crashes in Michigan, and four of those deaths were alcohol-related, the OHSP said.
Comments
fishjamaica
Wed, Dec 29, 2010 : 10:52 p.m.
Another reason to oppose public transportation, think of the lost revenue if citizens who enjoy having fun didn't have to drive to get anywhere! Sorry folks, being the designated driver is the worst job on the planet. I want drunk trolleys! I'm tired of going out, drinking three beers and then going home to sit in the garage to drink the next six! My garage is boring with no cute waitresses.
RJA
Wed, Dec 29, 2010 : 5:58 p.m.
Sounds like and excellent plan to me, get the drunks off the road!
Killroy
Wed, Dec 29, 2010 : 2:51 p.m.
What Police? Hey, why don't you pick up my dead Christmas tree?
umCCfan
Wed, Dec 29, 2010 : 2:49 p.m.
Isn't it kinda counterproductive to announce where and when all the enforcement will be taking place? Drunk driver's will certainly try to remember where and when all the enforcement will take place so they might remember to avoid those areas. Just saying....
joe golder
Wed, Dec 29, 2010 : 1:45 p.m.
Sounds like a good night to be a thief.
AlphaAlpha
Wed, Dec 29, 2010 : 1:18 p.m.
Per yesterday's article here about nationwide steroid abuse by police officers, folks should be extra polite, and extra compliant, when interacting with police.
PR of AA
Wed, Dec 29, 2010 : 1:09 p.m.
@ Scotsky, They tell people where they are going to be so that people will see "their tax dollars" at work, because if they didn't tell you what they were doing then you wouldn't realize it is with grant money and so on......
bruceae
Wed, Dec 29, 2010 : 12:03 p.m.
With the smoking ban in bars and plenty of cops on the road it's not a good night to be out supporting local businesses. We will be going to Motor City Casino and spending the evening. You can drink all you want and they still appreciate smokers.
Rusnak
Wed, Dec 29, 2010 : 11:33 a.m.
I guess I'll do my drinking in downtown Ypsilanti. Apparently there's no patrols there. Why do they announce where they are going to be? That's like telling the enemy we're going to attack at noon. WTH?
breadman
Wed, Dec 29, 2010 : 10:26 a.m.
I will drink my wine coller about 11:00p.m. And then sleep the old year out, And Happy New Year welcome 2011
Greggy_D
Wed, Dec 29, 2010 : 9 a.m.
I'm also staying in my home area. We are walking through our backyard to our neighbor's party. After ringing in the New Year, we are walking back home.
stunhsif
Wed, Dec 29, 2010 : 8:43 a.m.
I will be staying home, my wife will be working till midnight. Drive defensively for certain.
C6
Wed, Dec 29, 2010 : 8:24 a.m.
"Police have a message for anyone planning to ring in the New Year with a few drinks: designate a sober driver or take a taxi cab." Anyone care to suggest we just stay home?